A flash of green and Bruno stood in the door of the old nursery, his hands behind his back as he watched Julieta rock a newborn baby. Her face was lined with tiredness as she paced back and forth, cooing softly. She set the baby in a crib then leaned over the railing and sighed, rubbing her temples. Bruno smiled and knocked, tapping softly at the doorframe. Julieta turned, and when she saw Bruno she relaxed and smiled.
"Silencio, por favor," she said quietly. "She needs a nap."
Bruno nodded and came in. His face was alight with glee, and he wasn't slouching or trying to hide. "Sit down. You look tired."
"What are you hiding, changuito?" she asked, dropping into a rocking chair.
"Something for you," Bruno said. He pulled a plate of food out from behind his back.
Julieta sighed, her eyes gleaming. "Empanadas con arroz."
"Don't worry," Bruno said, flashing his teeth in a grin as he set the plate in her lap. "Mamá made it, not me. It's safe. I promise."
They shared a laugh, and Julieta reached out and pulled him close to kiss his cheek. Bruno beamed then walked over to peer into the crib.
"Hey, Isa," Bruno cooed. "Gosh, she's pretty. And so tiny!"
Julieta snorted and swallowed a mouthful of rice. "You can say that. You didn't push her out."
Bruno bit his bottom lip as glee filled his face, and he took a step back and turned away from the crib, covering his mouth with one hand as he stifled his laughter. He seemed so free, so at ease, and the watching family was startled. This wasn't the Bruno they knew. He stood straight and tall, his face was open, and he just seemed so different.
"That's true. Remind me not to say that when Pepa gives birth," Bruno said when he had stopped laughing.
"How is she?" Julieta asked.
"Well… let's just say that we're almost out of arepas con queso. Again."
"I can fix that."
"Oh don't, Juli. You need to relax," Bruno argued.
"I'd like to get back in the kitchen, actually," Julieta said. "I've been so busy with Isabela. It'll be a nice break. As soon as Agustín returns from the village, I'll get him to watch Isabela and I'll whip up some more arepas. You can help me."
Bruno smiled, then turned his thoughtful gaze to Isabela again. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No, Bruno. You making sure I eat is plenty."
Bruno puffed out his cheeks and squinted. "Still I want to do something." He paused, thinking hard then brightened. "I've got something I can do. Something that nobody else in the whole world could possibly do." He sounded so pleased.
"And what is that, changuito?" Julieta asked pleasantly.
"My visions, of course!" Bruno beamed. "It would be as easy as breathing, and it—"
"No!"
Julieta's cry rang through the room, and she stood up so abruptly that the plate crashed to the floor, spreading rice and empanada everywhere. Bruno straightened in alarm as Isabela let out a wail and started fussing. Julieta muttered and hurried over to soothe her, picking her up and rocking her back and forth. Bruno watched with a shocked expression as Julieta soothed her daughter.
"I-I'm sorry, but what did I do?"
Julieta was facing away from him, rocking Isabela gently. But her voice shook as she responded. "It's just… your visions tire you so much. And I'd like to find out over time what she's going to be like. Don't want to ruin the surprise."
Julieta hadn't seen Bruno's face when she'd said that the first time, focused solely on Isabela. But now, over twenty years later, she saw something like a spasm of pain as realization dawned in his eyes. His shoulders slumped and he seemed to curl up on himself, hunching down as the full impact of her words washed over him. Bruno's bottom lip trembled, and he suddenly looked like a kicked puppy, and much more like the Bruno they knew now. And then anger bloomed on his face and he straightened as Julieta turned around.
"You know, Juli, I never expected this from you," he said, cold fury masking the pain that had been so obvious a moment before.
"Expect what?" Julieta asked, surprised by the change in her brother.
"Félix? Expected it. Agustín? No surprise. Pepa? Well, she's always been skeptical. But you?" Bruno sneered and shook his head. "You always seemed to understand them. Guess you had me fooled, eh?"
"Bruno, I don't understand."
"Don't give me that, Juli! You don't want me to see Isabela's future because you're afraid I'll see something bad."
Julieta flinched and looked down. "Changuito, I'm just… I didn't mean…"
"Oh really?" Bruno asked. "Because one vision isn't tiring. It's exhilarating. And you know that."
When his sister continued to stand there, not looking at him, he scoffed and turned to leave.
"I'm sorry, Bruno!" Julieta said, grabbing his arm. "I just feel protective over my daughter! Isn't that natural?"
Bruno's eyes were bright and his face was a mask of anger. It was what he'd chosen to hide the pain with. There was a crack as a chasm split open over his heart, and red pulsed over his form. But all of this had been invisible to Julieta back then. And her young face twisted as Bruno jerked away from her.
"Yeah. I guess a mother is supposed to protect her child. I just didn't know you'd have to protect her from me and my 'gift' too."
The word "gift" was spat out like it tasted bitter, and the tone left no room for doubt as to what he really meant. It was said like it disgusted him, like he hated it, and the reason that he'd laughed at them for not understanding why he wasn't going to use his gift anymore began to make sense, terrible, heartrending sense. The word he said was gift, but what he meant was curse.
The present Julieta covered her mouth and tears filled her eyes as she watched Bruno pivot on his heel to put his back to her younger self, his face crumpling as he turned away. The vision froze, then coalesced in front of the present Bruno. Mirabel caught it as the man let out a wail, clutching himself so tightly that he shook. He pressed his face to the ground and broke into grating sobs. Mirabel dropped down beside him and grabbed him.
"¡Tío! You need to stop! It's too much!"
But he didn't react to her touch at all. He was lost in the past, lost in pain so deep and raw that his family could barely stand to see it. He writhed and scrabbled desperately at the ground then he arched his back and screamed, tugging at his hair as the sand began to form into another vision.
This time, the green Bruno appeared alone, looking even perkier and younger than he had with Julieta. He whistled as he adjusted the flowers in a vase inside Casita's dining room. It was set up with many small tables. Pepa's eyes went wide with horror as she took in Bruno's outfit, for once absent of his ruana. He looked dashing in a guayabera and that could only mean one thing.
"No, no, no, no, no," she said under her breath as lightning flashed through the sand around them. "Not my wedding. Please not my wedding."
"Bruno!" Alma called in the vision. "¡Ayúdame!"
There was a crash of thunder from the next room over, and Pepa whimpered. It was her wedding day. There was no doubt as the past Bruno looked over and chuckled. He strolled into the room to see Pepa pacing and trying to shoo a cloud away.
"Clear skies, Pepa, please!" Alma soothed. She was so much younger than they expected, and the grandchildren gazed at her younger face with fascination.
"You called?" Bruno asked, leaning on the doorway.
Alma turned, looking relieved. "Brunito, would you please help Pepa to stay calm? I have to check Juli and the food and see that the priest is ready."
"Claro, mamá," Bruno said, waving his hand idly. "Go on."
Alma smiled at her son then gathered her skirts and hurried away. Bruno stared at his sister as she continued to fan at the cloud. She looked beautiful in a white dress that showed off her slim figure. Her hair was braided and flowers were woven into the braid. She was pacing back and forth and muttering.
"Perfect. It has to be perfect."
Bruno shook his head as he smiled, a wonderful, open smile that conveyed such love and adoration of his sister. He pushed off the doorframe and walked over to Pepa. Without a word, he wrapped his hand around her waist and grabbed her hand. She jumped and a crack of thunder sounded out. Bruno didn't even flinch as he pulled her into a dance.
"Bruno, what are you doing?" Pepa demanded.
"Dancing with my sister," Bruno replied.
"¡Ay! There's no time for this!" Pepa tried to pull away, but Bruno swung her around and flashed his teeth in a playful grin.
"Well, we'd better practice one more time. If you want it to be perfect, I mean. Wouldn't want to trip over Félix when Julieta had such a perfect dance with Agustín, would you?"
Pepa huffed but smiled and the cloud fizzled away. Bruno led her gracefully around the room then out into the courtyard, a smile on his face the whole time. He looked so… so happy, they realized. So free. He wasn't weighed down with grief and pain like he was now. As he twirled her around then dipped her down, she gasped.
"Bruno!"
"You used to dip me when we were taking lessons," Bruno reminisced.
"I should have been leading," Pepa countered as he pulled her upright. "I was taller."
Bruno bit his bottom lip. "I look forward to you dipping Félix then."
Pepa burst out laughing, and Bruno watched her face.
"¿Pepita?"
"¿Sí, changuito?"
"Promise me something?"
"Anything."
"No matter what happens, enjoy yourself. Remember that this is your wedding day. It's supposed to be a happy day."
"What are you talking about, Bruno?" Pepa asked, brushing off his guayabera.
"It looks like rain," Bruno said, shrugging his shoulder and smiling.
Pepa's smile faded and she gazed uncertainly at her brother. Her eyes dashed up and she saw clear skies above her, not a cloud in sight.
"Did you see a vision?" Pepa asked. "What's going to happen?"
Bruno opened his mouth to reply, when Alma and Julieta rushed into the room.
"Come, come, it's time!" Julieta gushed.
Alma took Pepa's arm and called over her shoulder. "¡Vamos, Bruno!"
Pepa turned her head and stared at her brother with big eyes. Bruno smiled reassuringly and checked his appearance in the mirror Pepa had been using. He quickly smoothed down his hair then bolted after his family. He caught up to them at the church then took Pepa's arm and led her down the aisle. Félix, young and vibrant, stood staring adoringly at Pepa. Then the lighting changed drastically and the sound of howling winds rattled the windows. Pepa had a smile plastered on her face, but when Bruno handed her over to Félix, she had a glint in her eyes that promised pain. Bruno's smile faltered for only a moment before he hurriedly took his place in the pews.
The vision suddenly dissolved then reconvened in the kitchen of Casita. Julieta was cooking and she picked up a plate of food.
"Bruno, watch the arepas," she instructed then hurried into the courtyard.
Bruno grinned as he grabbed a fresh arepa and took a bite. Then he leaned on the counter and chewed.
"Bruno!"
Bruno swallowed and looked up as Pepa stormed in. Her face was thunderous.
"Pepa? What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? You should have told me there would be a hurricane!"
Bruno blinked and set aside the arepa. "I didn't know there'd be a hurricane, Pepita," he said, puzzled. "I just—"
"No! You ruined my wedding! You ruined my wedding on purpose!"
"What?" Bruno now looked bewildered, and he backed against the counter. "I-I ruined…? Pepa, your ceremony was beautiful! And, yeah, the guests got a little wet on the way to Casita, but that doesn't mean it's ruined."
Pepa cried out in anger as she reared back and slapped Bruno across the face so hard that he crashed to the floor. "Keep your stupid gift to yourself from now on!"
A red imprint of her hand was etched onto his cheek, and he sat up and gazed after her in astonishment as he raised his hand and cupped his face. Pepa had already turned away, so she never saw the tears that bloomed in Bruno's eyes, nor did she see the chasm that she had opened up that day. Bruno's heart split with an ear-shattering noise, and his green form was once again overtaken by a pulse of red as the scene froze on his bewildered, injured face.
The present Pepa let out a cry and covered her face as she turned away from the family in shame. Mirabel caught the tablet and looked at her uncle as he howled like a wounded beast, beating his fists against the floor as he cried.
"¿Tío? Can you stop?" she asked hopefully.
No sooner had she spoken then Bruno convulsed, and a new vision began to form. It was Agustín and Félix that appeared, walking across the courtyard as Bruno walked down the stairs. He paused to listen to the two men as they strolled toward the living room.
"It's absolutely loco!" Félix said.
Agustín laughed. "I know. But I'm glad to have somebody here from the village now. I used to sneak around."
"Why?" Félix asked.
Agustín shrugged, looking uncomfortable. "It's surreal. And I feel like an intruder."
Bruno continued down the stairs, following them across the courtyard. He looked nervous but determined and he muttered in a low voice.
"Just say hi. Just go up and talk to them. They're family now. Give them a chance."
Those watching realized that he was trying to get up the nerve to talk with the two men. The present Félix and Agustín were puzzled. They didn't remember a conversation with Bruno. Had they gotten drunk? Whatever had happened, they knew that finally, after over twenty years, they were going to find out why Bruno had always been closed and cold with them. And after all they'd already seen, they braced themselves for the worst.
Bruno paused out of sight of the living room, taking deep, soothing breaths. He knocked quietly on the wood of the doorframe, murmuring softly, as the conversation continued.
"An intruder?" Félix asked.
"Yeah," Agustín said. "You know, I haven't gotten used to the family. Alma is still a bit… much. She pushes Julieta a bit too hard. And Pepa is always changing the weather, not that that's a bad thing! And… then there's Bruno."
Bruno paused as there was a brief silence before Félix spoke. "Tell me. What do you think about Bruno?"
The green Bruno peeked around the corner to see the two men on the sofa, their backs to him as they spoke. Their faces were turned so that Bruno could see their profiles, but in the shadowed courtyard, he was invisible. The present Félix and Agustín looked at each other. How early in their marriages had this been? As the past Agustín snorted and looked distasteful, they knew it was quite early indeed.
"I'm not sure. Julieta won't answer any questions about him. She tells me I should go talk with him."
Félix shook his head. "That's exactly what Pepa told me. They must be conspiring." He leaned forward. "You know our wedding? Bruno predicted a hurricane and didn't even tell his sister about it. What kind of a man would do that?"
Agustín shrugged. "How does his gift even work?"
"Guess we'll have to talk to Bruno," Félix said with a sneer. "But I don't want to. Pepa keeps flooding the bed with rain when she thinks about how disastrous it was."
"Rain? Why?"
"Hm? Oh, it storms when she's upset."
"Really?" Agustín looked fascinated. Then he shook his head. "The wedding really wasn't that bad, to be fair. Yeah, we all got a little wet on the way to Casita, but the house shifted so that the courtyard was covered. Everybody had such a good time."
"Still, that pendejo should have warned Pepa instead of springing it on her at the last second. She's inconsolable."
The watching Bruno winced as they talked about Pepa and the wedding. His hand slipped up to cradle his cheek, the one Pepa had slapped. His pained expression went unnoticed, and so did he as the two men kept talking.
"So… Bruno?" Félix asked.
Agustín shrugged. "He's creepy, just like they say. He mutters to himself all the time. And those rats! He has rats as pets!"
"Well, he certainly isn't going to get a girl," Félix laughed.
"That's for sure. I was hoping we were wrong about creepy Bruno."
"Wrong about which ones?" Félix asked.
Agustín grinned. "Well, there's the obvious one. That he makes bad things happen."
"Don't forget that he's cruel," Félix said. "Like not warning Pepa about the hurricane. His own sister, hombre!"
"That is a bit weird. The way Julieta talks, he loves his sisters a lot. But I've heard that one. I guess I didn't believe it."
Félix chortled. "How about him being absolutely loco?"
"Muttering, knocking on wood, talking to his rats, that one's covered." Agustín sat up. "Ooh, did you hear the one about him prowling the streets to eat naughty children's dreams?"
Félix nodded eagerly. "And the one where he controls all the rats in the Encanto?"
Bruno stood there, his mouth falling open as they discussed the rumors that floated around about him. He looked uncomfortable and no longer looked confident. He wrung his hands and wavered, torn between going in and leaving. Then Agustín spoke.
"Julieta told me to give him a chance."
Bruno perked and straightened, but before he could announce himself, Félix snorted.
"Give him a chance? That monstruo loco doesn't deserve one."
"Maybe."
Bruno's face crumpled as another chasm split his heart with a crack like thunder. He turned and hurried toward the stairs, angry tears in his eyes. The scene froze then a burst of red light announced the formation of another tablet. Mirabel caught it and set it aside. Félix and Agustín looked at each other, puzzled. That hadn't been nearly as bad as they were expecting. Did it really hurt Bruno that much? And was that enough to explain his aloofness over the last twenty-five years?
"¿Tío?" Mirabel asked wearily.
Bruno was still shaking, still convulsing, and he clawed at his arms as he cried weakly. Even in the red light around the sand, he looked shaky and pale. But at this point, they all knew he had to ride it out. There was no breaking him out of it. So Mirabel placed her hands on his back and rubbed it soothingly.
"It's okay, tío. It's okay. Just… breathe."
Bruno swallowed and his eyes began to flicker as the red light faded in and out. He doubled over and fell into a coughing fit, gasping for air as he shivered. He tried to speak for the first time since the visions began. Desperation was in his face and he reached out, half conscious of what was going on.
"He's becoming unstable," Julieta gasped. "We have to help him."
"Too many visions!" Pepa wailed. "Water! Get him water!"
Mirabel scrambled for the canteen and helped her uncle to drink. "What do we do?" she asked as his fumbling fingers closed over hers and he gulped down water desperately.
"We can't do anything, Mirabel," Julieta said. "We can't get him out of it."
"Could we kick out the herbs?" Dolores asked.
"No!" the sisters cried.
"That's way too painful for him," Pepa explained.
"But we can't just keep this going!" Mirabel said. "He's going to hurt himself!"
"We have to stop it," Agustín said.
"We can't, Agustín! The last time we tried to do that in the middle of one, he was unconscious for days!" Julieta said.
"We have to help him somehow," Félix said.
"He just has to finish the visions," Pepa said. "There's nothing else we can do."
"How many visions will there be?" Isabela asked.
"One for each of us?" Luisa guessed.
"Not Antonio," Alma said. "They'd never met. And I doubt Mirabel has one."
"Then there's not many of us left," Camilo pointed out.
"Who's left?" Mirabel asked. She pawed through the tablets. Then she stopped at the bottom. "Abuela," she said quietly.
Alma stiffened. Then she nodded. This needed to end, so she tried to get his attention despite desperately not wanting to see what he would show them. "Bruno?"
Bruno stopped drinking and looked up. As his eyes landed on his mother, they flashed red again and he shuddered. Another vision began to form in the sand, but he seemed to be more conscious as he fought it from forming.
"Come on, tío, just let it happen," Mirabel encouraged.
Bruno whimpered and covered his glowing eyes, suddenly looking like a frightened child. But the vision formed anyway, and once again they saw the past unfolding before them.
